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WE RIDE THE STORM is a book that has had quite an interesting journey over the past couple of years. Originally released in 2018 as a self-published novel, it just recently got a brand new look for its cover (absolutely stunning by the way) after author Devin Madson was deservedly picked up by well-known publisher Orbit Books.
This book first found its way on my radar last year when it advanced all the way to the finals of Mark Lawrence's Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off. For a number of different reasons I just never got around to picking it up. Fast forward a year and in a huge stroke of good luck, I was able to obtain a review copy of the new re-release from Orbit last month. So a sincere thank you goes out to them for doing that. And now, on to the most difficult book review that I've ever had to write (because the book is that special and I don't know if I have the words).
The book is told through the eyes of three main characters. Princess Miko Ts'ai being the first - stepdaughter of the Emperor of Kisia and brother to Tanaka, the would-be male heir to the throne. Miko is literally a prisoner in her own castle and is mostly a princess with no power or recognition. You see, the Emperor doesn't formally recognize either of them as heirs due to the fact that they are the blood children of a hated enemy from his past and not his own. There have also been numerous assassination attempts on both Miko and Tanaka over the years that many whispering around the palace say were ordered by the Emperor himself. Tanaka believes that he should be the one to now rule Kisia, especially in light of the fact that neighboring Chiltae seems poised for an all-out war. But the Emperor has other plans and won't give up the throne so easily. Miko believes her brother is right but also sees him as somewhat reckless and brash. There is a very real danger in challenging the ruthless tyrant so openly at the moment and she quickly finds herself thrust in the middle of a power struggle that can only end in treachery and bloodshed.
The second main character is Chiltaen Cassandra Marius, part time prostitute, and full time assassin. In fact, she quite often uses the circumstances of her trade to lower the guard of would-be targets, making her a very effective weapon indeed and one that many seek the services of. When she is approached by a mysterious man who asks her to carry out a very high-profile hit in exchange for a cure to silence the voices in her head that torment her, she finds herself unable to refuse the offer. But even she is unaware of the full ramifications of her charge and what it could result in. For one skilled and deadly assassin's knife thrust could very well start the trumpets of war playing in earnest between neighboring countries with a tumultuous history between them.
Then there is Captain Rah e'Toring of the nomadic Levanti. A once-proud farming people, the Levanti have now been exiled by the brutal Chiltaens and their warriors. They are forced to fight for a kingdom that doesn't care for them or die. It's not really much of a choice but Rah and his fellow Levanti do what they must for now with the hope that they can find the opening that they have been looking for to restore their freedom. When Rah witnesses the horrors being carried out by the Chiltaen army, it only strengthens his resolve to find a way to slip the leash of his oppressors. But what hope can one man have against a mighty force of thousands? Maybe more than anyone thinks. For hope is a dangerous thing, but it is also an incredibly powerful motivator.
When the fates of these three main characters and those loyal to them finally collide, both Kisia and Chiltae will be forever changed. One thing is for certain, nobody can be trusted and who you think is your friend may very well really be your enemy waiting to slit your throat at the proper moment. Who will be left standing when the ambitious opportunists sneak out from the shadows to stake their claim?
About three quarters of the way through this book I made a very bold statement on Twitter. I said that WE RIDE THE STORM may be the best fantasy book that I've read in decades. Yes, you heard me correctly, decades. Now I'm not that old, so we're probably talking about only two or three decades tops, but this is still an impressive feat. And now that I've finished the book, I not only stand by that statement but I re-emphasize it loudly.
I cannot believe how many plots and subplots were packed into this one amazing book. It almost felt like I was reading a few different books at once. The fact that Devin Madson was able to not only juggle these, but also to make them all come together to fit into one coherent story is in my estimation a wondrous accomplishment. It truly shows what a talented writer she is and the boundless imagination behind this incredible creation.
There were so many moments in this book that I didn't see coming at all. Soul-crushing moments, heartbreaking moments, and moments of stupendous inspiration that lifted me up while I was reading. Too often I read books that follow a specific flow or predictable theme. I am happy to say that WE RIDE THE STORM surprises at every turn and makes a 500+ page book seem like the fastest read in the world. The layers upon layers that you get to peel back as the chapters unfold makes this one of the more rewarding reading experiences you will find in any book period, let alone any fantasy book.
Lastly I would like to comment on the characters. I felt such a connection to not only the main characters in this story, but every single character that was introduced regardless of how minor. That's the mark of a fantastic storyteller, to get you invested in even the side characters because they are fleshed out so well and their personalities come through in even just the briefest appearances.
Now that I've read WE RIDE THE STORM I honestly can't fathom how it didn't take home the top prize in #SPFBO4. It should have won going away in my opinion. I'm so glad that I finally got a chance to read it because my eyes have been opened to a favorite new author and a series that I will cherish for a long time coming.
The paperback will be officially available for purchase worldwide on June 23rd. However you can buy the ebook now, so if you don't feel like waiting and ebooks are your thing, then grab a digital copy asap! You are not going to want to miss one of the very best fantasy books that I have ever had the pleasure of reading (and I've read a heck of a lot). Beautiful prose, deep and complex characters, fantastic world-building, and a story that will keep you riveted with every single page. You can't do much better than WE RIDE THE STORM, so please find out what I already know. This is the best of the best and I cannot wait to continue to find out how The Reborn Empire series unfolds. Simply magnificent storytelling.
(My Rating: 10/10)
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